sharing is caring & disney’s secretariat

Posted: October 6, 2010 at 9:10 am

Bloggers of the Day (randomly from yesterday’s comments)

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Last night my sister and I set out for a sister date night. The traditional dinner and a movie! Although with a slight twist.

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After sitting in traffic, because its everywhere in Atlanta at 5pm on weekdays, we made it to our restaurant of choice. Parma Tavern in Buford.

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While shooting the above picture, some of the workers from the restaurant saw me through the windows and came out to see what in the world I was doing. They seemed excited (and confused) when I told them that I’m a healthy living blogger. We had fun talking and joking with them for a few minutes and grabbed a seat.

Before ordering, we learned all about Parma’s approach to food. They use all fresh ingredients with an emphasis on using local and quality food instead of mass produced products found in some other Italian joints. My sister and I both have the same tastes, so we opted to share an appetizer and entree.

We started with a spinach & artichoke fondue, made with Gruyere cheese and white wine. And lots of garlic.

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The fondue tasted excellent with bold flavors. I only wish that it was served with something other than tortillas, which is why I mainly dipped my bread after our meal was served. We shared the Penne Bosco, which had chicken, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, basil, garlic, scallions, Marsala wine, cream, chicken stock, and Parmesan Romano cheese.

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Split between the two of us, these dishes made for a satisfying meal and surprisingly didn’t feel too heavy or rich. Thanks, Parma for a delightful dining experience!

After dinner, we headed to the movies for a preview screening of Disney’s new movie Secretariat.

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I didn’t expect it to be quite the big deal, but there was a loooonnnggg line of people to get in. We received this opportunity thanks to BlogHer and after the Disney representative checked for us on her list we were sent right in. I felt kind of like the chicks in movies who cut the lines at bars. Kind of strange. LOL Especially when we realized we had reserved seating.

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The whole experience proved different than I expected, including the movie. These thoughts are all my own. I thought the  movie would be cute and make for a fun night, but nothing too amazing. I ended up loving it!! Secretariat basically shares the true story of Penny Tweedy, who after her mother’s death, helps run her father’s farm and race horses. She ends up completely involved and grows to believe in one horse born shortly after her mother’s death. The story unravels as he becomes one of the best race horses of all time and she shows strength and determination in doing more than expected of her in the day’s society.

It was so, so good! All the actors portrayed their roles exquisitely. The story line drew you in. The passion and fire in Diane Lane’s character, Penny Tweedy, had me rooting for her and that horse the entire time. Even though, I’m not quite sure I feel so good about horse racing in general.  To me, the most powerful aspect of the movie lay in the determination of Penny Tweedy. She would not stop pursuing her passions and doing what she loved, which was providing for Secretariat and rebuilding her parents’ farm and worth.

Her belief in herself and everyone she worked with just proves that with determination great things are possible. It actually inspired me a pretty good bit. To keep living life to the fullest and working hard on the things I love. Who knows where they will go? I personally believe God has plans for me, but I’m still responsible for going after them wholeheartedly, even while gaining my strength from him. I love when Diane Lane’s character says something along the lines of she will win, but even if she doesn’t she still won because she tried. Pretty good way to look at life, no?

  • What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
  • Do you like Italian? What’s your favorite dish? I’m not a huge Italian fan, despite being married to one. I prefer basic pasta with bit of sauce and lots of flavorful veggies over the heavier dishes.

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50 Comments to “sharing is caring & disney’s secretariat”
  1. We really want to see that movie! My husband is very interested in horse racing… that’s probably why. 🙂

    My favorite quote is.. “when you want something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done.” Pretty sure it’s by Ben Franklin.

  2. Sounds like a great evening! Thanks for sharing about the movie. I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought had you not written about it. Italian – I have to like it because of my heritage 😉

  3. Lisa says:

    That movie sounds good and it sounds like you had such a good time! I am obsessed with disney movies, they’re the best! =) And that reserved seating! Omg, I would have felt so special.
    Sounds like such a beautiful and inspirational story. Thank you for sharing that quote from the movie!

  4. Awww, I love sister date nights! So glad you loved the movie so much!

  5. Can I tell you how much I love Diane Lane?

    I think she looks phenomenal, and she looks her age! She has always struck me as a confident woman who is comfortable in her own skin!

  6. i have “fall down seven times, get up eight” on a dirty post it note right on a place where i see it multiple times a day. it never fails to help especially when i expect perfection so often (and never get it!!! hello…. learning moment!!!)

  7. LindseyAnn says:

    “You’ll have everything you’ll need if you just believe.” It’s from the song “Believe” by Josh Groban.

    I like Italian food, but I don’t like the heavy cream or cheese based dishes. I’d rather have something with more of a tomato based sauce.

    • Tina says:

      I’m more of a tomato based sauce girl too. That dish last night sounded good though so I went for it. I’m so glad the sauce was light! And I love Josh Groban!

  8. One of my favorite quotes is actually from “A League of Their Own,” and it is, “It’s the hard that makes it great.” I kept saying this to myself while I ran my marathon Sunday!

  9. Cynthia says:

    I love Italian food! That fondue looks amazing. One of my favorite Italian dishes is a classic lasagna. Mmm . . .

    Isn’t Atlanta traffic awful??

  10. My sisters and mom and I are all supposed to see that movie this weekend! I can’t wait. Horses and my favorite girls? Couldn’t ask for more. So glad you liked it!

  11. Camille says:

    Thanks for the mention!
    I was kind of iffy on Secretariat but I had sort of decided I would wait for DVD. Your positive review makes me want to see it a bit more!

    • Tina says:

      I usually wait for things to come to DVD so I can rent it and save the money, but if you like going to movies in theaters I certainly recommend it. 😉

  12. Julie says:

    I’m so glad you reviewed this movie! The kids and I really want to see it. I <3 Diane Lane!!

  13. Marcia says:

    I saw the trailor for that movie-I thought it looked so-so, but after your review I want to see it!! 🙂

    I like Italian. I am married to one as well. I just wish everything was not sooo heavy. DOn’t get me wrong, I’m still going to eat it!

  14. Meg says:

    There’s a tiny city in southwestern Idaho called Parma. In case you were wondering…

    That fondue looks heavenly, I wish I could reach into the picture and taste it!

    My favorite inspirational quote is “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” -Helen Keller

  15. I love hearing about your sister dates. I have two sisters and we always try to get together for sister dates. Sisters are so special!

  16. Sava says:

    Thank you for the mention! 🙂

    The only previous information I had about the Secretariat movie was a brief glance at the poster in the theatre, so I’m really glad you reviewed it!

  17. Great picture of you and your sister! 🙂

    I love when restaurants focus on using local ingredients!

    I also love Diane Lane!!!! Glad to hear the movie was amazing, I’ll have to check it out.

  18. What a wonderful date!!!! 🙂 You two are gorgeous sitting there, enjoying your fondue. I’ve been thinking about fondue for the past few days. I would love to have one homemade but am not sure what type of disaster I would create!

    My fav quote is a tie b/w two:

    “Love is being honest with yourself at all times. Being honest with the other person at all times. Telling, listening, respecting the truth and never pretending. Love is the source of reality”
    ~ Susan Polis Schutz

    “Growth is not steady, forward, upward progression. It is instead a switchback trail; three steps forward, two back, one around the bushes, and a few simply standing, before another forward leap.” ~Dorothy Corkville Briggs

  19. Alyn says:

    So I was wondering: You speak about the period of your life during which you participated in competitions (tanning, extreme diet etc) as unhealthy, and perhaps a little too focused on the wrong things. I was wondering (this is nooot meant to be accusatory, I’m really just curious!) why you use that as your profile picture then? Because I avoided your blog for a long time thinking it would be too extreme. Just a thought! I enjoy your blog 🙂 thanks!
    -Alyn

    • Tina says:

      I don’t take that accusatory at all! When I FIRST had a blog (at a different site) it was around my competition and so I put that as my gravatar image. I honestly keep forgetting to change it and even now don’t know where to go TO change it. It actually kind of bothers me too. Maybe in the next few days when I get a spare moment to figure it out I will work to figure that out. Or if you can help, I would appreciate it!

    • Tina says:

      Turns out, google is my best friend and I just figured it out. It was MUCH easier than I remember it being. Thanks for reminding me to do this. 🙂

      • Alyn says:

        The new picture looks GREAT! Much more relatable. I’m glad you figured it out; you beat me to google 😉

        Correlarily: I was wondering how you deal with the difference in how you look now, versus how you looked at tip-top fitness condition.

        Do you ever wish you had your old body, or do you feel very comfortable either way?

        Thanks!
        -Alyn

  20. Bec says:

    sounds like an awesome sister date! all the food looks so yummy and who wouldn’t love VIP treatment like that at the movies 🙂 Hope you are having an amazing day!!!

  21. Brooke says:

    my favorite quote quote comes from a Fireflight song “Fear is just a crutch that turns your dreams into dust.”

    • Tina says:

      Ohhh….that’s a good one! I love quotes!

    • Tina says:

      I tried to comment on your blog but couldn’t since I always have to comment through the Name/URL option on blogger blogs. BUT I wanted to be sure I told you how much I love love love your last post with the pledge to love yourself and the 5 reasons you do. 🙂

  22. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tina Reale, Tina Reale. Tina Reale said: sharing is caring & disney’s secretariat: Bloggers of the Day (randomly from yesterday’s comments) Veganism For Th… http://bit.ly/a0mYBD […]

  23. Yes I love Italian food — give me a big plate of spag and meatballs and garlic bread and I’m good to go! Ravioli and lasagna are good too. My MIL and Jason’s Grandma (Grandma-in-law?) are going to Italy next week for a vacation and I am so jealous of all the beautiful food they’ll get to eat!

    I’m glad you liked the movie — I just don’t know if I’m going to see it or not. I’ll probably wait for Netflix. I love Diane Lane, but the story just seemed kind of strange. I sure love that quote though — sometimes all you can do is give it your best effort!

    • Tina says:

      I’m all about waiting for renting DVDs too. Movie theaters are so expensive. Whenever you get the chance though, I do recommend it. 🙂

  24. Katie says:

    i love your bloggers of the day theme you have! I may have to steal that idea once i get more readers! I just really want that fondue!!! REALLY bad!!! 🙂

  25. Ela says:

    What a lovely story of your evening! Your sister looks like you – sweet that you have the same tastes as well.

    I don’t love Italian because it’s so heavy to gluten and dairy that it’s hard for me to appreciate.

    And I have so many beloved inspirational quotes. One of Rumi’s “Keep knocking, and eventually the joy inside will open a window to see who is there.”

    love
    Ela

  26. My favorite quote that has changed my life is: If you change your thinking, it can change your life.

    So simple. Don’t know where it came from, but I love it and it’s SO TRUE! 🙂

  27. janetha g. says:

    wow that cheese dip looks SO good. the for sure should have served it with another dipping vehicle.

    favorite quote: if you want to have things you’ve never had, you have to do things you’ve never done

    favorite italian dish: anything with pesto.

    happy noodle day!

  28. I’m actually a big fan of Italian- even though I’m pretty sure yesterday I just said how I often shy away from pasta when I’m cooking for myself.

    My fav would be gnocchi. Can’t quit that stuff!

  29. homecookedem says:

    It is SO nice that you and your sister are so close and hang out so often!! 🙂 I haven’t heard of that restaurant, but it looks great! That fondue looks amazing!!!!!!! I love gruyere cheese!!

    I love italian food!! My favorite is a classic – spaghetti and meatballs! 🙂

  30. i can’t wait to see that movie! i just saw the previews the other day…i’m so glad to know you liked it 🙂

    and you know i love italian…ALL of it, especially with extra garlic 🙂

    • Tina says:

      Garlic makes me happy too. I think that’s partly why I loved that dip so much. Good thin it was a sister date. 😉

  31. Cate says:

    It sounds like you had a great sister date night and the food looked tasty! I am glad the movie was so good too. After seeing the preview in the theater the other day, both my friend and I said we wanted to see it. Your review just confirms it! 🙂

  32. Angela says:

    That’s so cool that you got to go see The Secretariat! I saw the preview for the first time last week and it looks really good. My fave Italian dish is usually anything to do with fish. I’m not a huge pasta girl, but baked fish tends to be my entree of choice in Italian restaurants.

  33. One of my favorite quotes,

    “Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don’t open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” Rumi

    Can’t wait to see the movie. I love Diane Lang. And as a teen, I was a thoroughbred racing (okay, horse) fanatic. I don’t remember Secretariat well, but I was an Affirmed fan, and I did name a dog after an amazing racing filly, Ruffian. Glad you liked the show!

  34. Lee says:

    “Be the change you wish to see in the world”

  35. Dawn says:

    Looks like a fun night! Good for you – you deserved it 🙂

    I love Italian food, but find plain pasta a bit too boring. I like the cheese filled stuff like raviolis, tortellini or manicotti – all the really naughty stuff!

  36. I could eat italian every day and I often wish I was born in Italy too.. they have a warm(er) climate and the best foods 😉

  37. Dee says:

    Wow! That pasta dish looks amazing! I love Italian food! 🙂

    And oh my… I didn’t think I would want to see that movie, but after reading your review, I might just have to! I love feel good inspirational movies like this.

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